Living Covenantally
The words “with me”, “us” and “together” are reminders that we do not travel the pilgrim path alone.
Peter concluded his Pentecost sermon with a reminder of the covenant promise: “The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:39).
The result: “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (v. 41).
And immediately community life began.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers… And all who believed were together and had all things in common… And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (v. 42-47).
The Westminster Confession of Faith explains:
All saints, that are united to Jesus Christ their Head, by His Spirit, and by faith, have fellowship with Him in His grace, sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory: and, being united to one another in love, they have communion in each other’s gifts and graces. They are obliged to the performance of such duties, public and private, as do conduce to their mutual good, both in the inward and outward man.(1)
In a culture of individualism, this is radical. It is also impossible. We can only live this way because of our covenant relationship with Jesus. In the upper room Jesus prayed for the disciples and for those who would believe—us.
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
John 17:20-23 (ESV)
He gives us His glory so we can be one. His glory is the essence of His character. It is His life, His Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit, we produce the works of the flesh, which destroy relationships.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies…
Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV)
The Spirit produces His fruit, which cultivates unity.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
He transforms us so that gradually we reflect more and more of the goodness of His glory to each other.
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV)
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to…
Love one another (John 13:34).
Live in harmony with one another (Rom. 12:16).
Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Rom. 15:7).
Care for one another (1 Cor.12:25).
Serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
Bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2).
Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13).
Be patient with one another (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13).
Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11).
Show hospitality to one another (1 Pet. 4:9).
PRAYER
“Please show me now your ways, that I may know you . . . Please show me your glory” (Ex. 33:13, 18).
(1) The Westminster Confession of Faith, XXVI, 1-2.
Susan Hunt with Stephen Estock and Karen Hodge, Heirs of the Covenant: A Framework for Discipleship in the Church
Additional resource: Heirs of the Covenant Hub
Susan Hunt is the widow of PCA pastor Gene Hunt, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is the former PCA Coordinator for Women’s Ministry and author of several books, including Heirs of the Covenant and TRUE, the discipleship curriculum series on biblical womanhood for teen girls. She co-authored Transformed: Life-taker to Life-giver and Life-giving Leadership with Karen Hodge, as well as Aging with Grace with Sharon Betters. She has also written several books for children.
Are there other women in your life who could benefit from a daily dose of encouragement? Forward this email so they can click on this link to Subscribe to Daily Treasure to be better equipped to walk by faith on the pathway God has marked out for them.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.